# How to loop a slide show in PowerPoint on Mac: step by step for Microsoft 365

> How to loop a slide show in PowerPoint on Mac: use Set Up Slide Show, check timings, and end the loop with Esc. Menu paths and shortcuts included.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/loop-a-slide-show-in-powerpoint
Updated: 2026-11-08

To loop a slide show in PowerPoint on Mac, open the Slide Show tab and choose Set Up Slide Show, then select Browsed at a kiosk (full screen). That setting turns on Loop continuously until 'Esc' automatically, but the loop needs slide timings before it can move through the deck on its own.

## Quick answer

- Open Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show and choose Browsed at a kiosk (full screen). On Mac, Microsoft says this checks Loop continuously until 'Esc' for you.
- Give every slide a timing with Rehearse Timings, or set Transitions > After and select Apply to All.
- Start the show with ⌘⇧Return. Press Esc to stop the loop.
- PowerPoint for the web cannot set up looping, so use the desktop app for Mac.

Applies to: PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, 2024, and 2021 for Mac (desktop app). Time: 10 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- PowerPoint for Mac: Microsoft 365, 2024, or 2021 version
- The presentation open in the desktop app, not the web app
- Timings on every slide if the loop should advance on its own
- Access to the Esc key on the Mac that runs the show

## How to Loop a slide show on Mac in PowerPoint on a Mac

1. **Open the Slide Show tab.** (Slide Show) Open your presentation in PowerPoint for Mac. Click the Slide Show tab in the ribbon at the top of the window. Everything you need to set up the loop lives on this tab. Tip: If the ribbon is hidden, click the tab name once to bring it back.
2. **Open Set Up Slide Show.** (Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show) On the Slide Show tab, select Set Up Slide Show. A dialog opens with the options for how the show runs. Leave it open for the next step. Tip: The dialog has no keyboard shortcut, so use the mouse or trackpad here.
3. **Choose Browsed at a kiosk (full screen).** (Set Up Slide Show > Show type > Browsed at a kiosk (full screen)) Under Show type, select Browsed at a kiosk (full screen). On macOS, Microsoft says this choice automatically checks Loop continuously until 'Esc' and runs the show in a loop. Look at the checkbox to confirm it is ticked. Tip: Click OK to save the settings and close the dialog.
4. **Add timings with Rehearse Timings.** (Slide Show > Rehearse Timings) Go back to the Slide Show tab and select Rehearse Timings. Click through every slide at the pace you want. Use Pause/Play for a break and Repeat to redo a slide. Tip: Talk through each slide as you would for the audience, so the times match real use.
5. **Keep or discard the timings.** (Rehearse Timings > Yes or No) When the rehearsal reaches the end, PowerPoint asks whether to keep the timings. Choose Yes to keep them, or No to discard them and try again. Tip: Choose No if you rushed or skipped slides, then rehearse again.
6. **Or set a fixed delay on every slide.** (Transitions > After > Apply to All) If you prefer a fixed pause, open the Transitions tab and select a transition. Select After, enter the seconds you want, then select Apply to All. Tip: Use this when every slide should wait the same amount of time.
7. **Check timings in Slide Sorter.** (View > Slide Sorter) Open the View tab and select Slide Sorter. Scan the timing under each slide. Fix any slide with a missing or unexpected time before you start the show. Tip: Slide Sorter shows the whole deck at once, so gaps are easy to spot.
8. **Start the looping show.** Shortcut: ⌘⇧Return. Press ⌘⇧Return to start the slide show. Microsoft's Mac shortcut list gives this combination for starting and switching to the show. Confirm the first slide appears before you walk away. Tip: Microsoft's Mac list has no shortcut for starting from the current slide, so check where the show begins.
9. **Stop the loop.** Shortcut: Esc. Press Esc to end the show. Microsoft lists Esc as the key that stops a kiosk loop, so tell anyone who runs the screen about it. Tip: Keep this key within reach of whoever runs the screen.

A looping slide show runs from the first slide to the last, then starts again at the first slide. It keeps going until someone presses Esc. People use this for a booth, a lobby screen, a trade show table, or a classroom display that runs all day. A looped show is different from a normal talk, where a presenter clicks through each slide. This guide covers the desktop app for Mac, because the web version cannot set up or customize a slide show.

## Before you start: confirm your PowerPoint version

The steps in this guide apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 for Mac, PowerPoint 2024 for Mac, and PowerPoint 2021 for Mac. Microsoft's slide show pages name those three versions. They do not name PowerPoint 2019 or 2016 for Mac, so check Microsoft's support site before you rely on these steps in an older version.

To find your build, open PowerPoint > About PowerPoint. Microsoft's release notes for Office for Mac list PowerPoint 16.114.3 (Build 26102720), dated October 27, 2026, as the latest entry. MacUpdate lists version 16.114.4, dated November 5, 2026. The two sources disagree. Neither one lists a change to slide show looping, so the steps here should hold for both builds.

- Open the desktop app. PowerPoint for the web does not offer slide show setup options.
- Confirm the slide order in View > Slide Sorter before you set any timings.
- Decide whether the loop should move on its own. If it should, you need timings.
- Make sure whoever watches the screen knows that Esc stops the show.

## Set the loop with Browsed at a kiosk

Microsoft's self-running page gives the cleanest route for a looping show on Mac. Open the Slide Show tab and select Set Up Slide Show. Under Show type, choose Browsed at a kiosk (full screen). Microsoft says that on macOS this choice automatically checks Loop continuously until 'Esc' and runs the show in a loop. You do not need to hunt for the checkbox in this mode.

Kiosk mode is built for unattended screens. It fits a booth, a sign at a counter, or a looping product reel. Because the loop runs until Esc, keep the Mac somewhere a person can reach the keyboard. Microsoft says the loop needs slide timings, so read the next section before you leave the machine.

![Person working on a laptop at a desk before presenting a slide deck](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/loop-a-slide-show-in-powerpoint/how-to-loop-a-slide-show-in-1-75a73b.jpg)

## Add timings so the loop moves on its own

Microsoft's page gives two ways to set timings. The first is Rehearse Timings, which records how long you spend on each slide while you click through the deck. The second is a fixed delay that you set on the Transitions tab. Pick the method that fits your content. Rehearsed timings suit slides you explain out loud. A fixed delay suits slides that all need the same pause.

| Method | Where it lives on Mac | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rehearse Timings | Slide Show > Rehearse Timings | Slides you talk through at a natural pace |
| Fixed delay with Apply to All | Transitions > After, then Transitions > Apply to All | Decks where every slide waits the same time |
| Timing check | View > Slide Sorter | Reviewing every timing before the loop runs |

_Two ways to set timings in PowerPoint for Mac, plus the check._

Rehearse Timings uses a small Rehearsal toolbar. It has Next, Pause/Play, and Repeat. Go through the whole deck at a normal pace. Use Pause/Play if you need to stop, and Repeat if a slide needs another try. When you reach the end, PowerPoint asks you to choose Yes or No to keep the timings.

The fixed delay is faster to set. Open the Transitions tab, select a transition, and select After. Enter the number of seconds you want. Then select Apply to All so every slide gets the same delay. Microsoft's page does not name a platform for these steps, so check the result in Slide Sorter on your own Mac before you trust it.

## Loop in Presented by a speaker mode

Some presenters want a loop that a person runs by hand. Microsoft's Mac text documents the automatic loop only for Browsed at a kiosk (full screen). Community answers and a third-party IT help-desk guide describe another route. Open Slide Show, then Set Up Slide Show, choose Presented by a speaker (full screen), and turn on Loop continuously until 'Esc'.

Those sources are not Microsoft's own Mac documentation. The checkbox label comes from the community, so test it on the Mac and build you plan to use. Microsoft's pages also disagree about Browsed by an individual (window). The Windows text says the viewer does not control advance. The Mac text says they do. Do not depend on that mode for an unattended loop until you test it.

## Start and stop the show with shortcuts

Press ⌘⇧Return to start the slide show on Mac. Microsoft's Mac shortcut list gives the same combination for switching to the slide show. Press Esc to end the show at any time. To switch into Presenter view while the show runs, press ⌥Return. Microsoft's list has no Mac shortcut for starting from the current slide, so check where the loop begins before you leave the room.

Microsoft's presentation page says to press Fn (or Globe) + F1 to view the shortcut list on a Mac. The setup dialog itself has no shortcut, so the first part of setup always takes the mouse or trackpad.

![Slides shown on a large screen in a room with an audience](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/loop-a-slide-show-in-powerpoint/how-to-loop-a-slide-show-in-2-456815.jpg)

## Mistakes that stop a loop from running

- Expecting a timed loop without timings. Add timings first, then check them in Slide Sorter.
- Working in PowerPoint for the web. Setup and customizing options are not available there.
- Choosing Browsed by an individual for an unattended loop. Microsoft's pages disagree on that mode, so test it before you rely on it.
- Forgetting that Esc is the key Microsoft lists for stopping a kiosk loop. Write it near the screen.
- Assuming Presenter view works in the web app. Presenter View requires desktop PowerPoint.

Run one full cycle before the event. Watch the last slide. Check that the show returns to the first slide and keeps going. If it stops or hangs, go back to Slide Sorter, recheck the timings, and run it again. Test on the same Mac and the same display you will use on the day, because a different screen can change how the show looks.

## Versions and the web app: what Microsoft has confirmed

Looping is a desktop feature. A 2023 Microsoft Q&A answer says the Loop slideshow feature exists only in the Windows and Mac desktop apps, not in PowerPoint for the web or mobile apps. That answer came from a community responder, not Microsoft staff. It says there is no information on plans to add the feature to the web.

An older community thread from 2018 is also useful. A user with a MacBook Air reported that the fix was to open Set Up Slide Show, make sure Loop continuously until ESC is checked, and then play the show. The thread is tagged Windows and names no Mac or PowerPoint version. Use it as a clue, not as proof, and confirm the steps against your own build.

## Next steps once your loop runs

A looping deck often needs narration or numbers that help the viewer follow along. If you want a voice track, read our guide to [recording a slide show in PowerPoint on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/record-a-slide-show-in-powerpoint). For a deck that people page through, [add slide numbers](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/add-slide-numbers-in-powerpoint) so the order stays clear.

Keep a copy of the working file with the timings set. If you change a slide later, check the timing under that slide in Slide Sorter. A new slide may not have a timing yet, so check it before the next run.

![Person at a Mac learning how to loop a slide show in PowerPoint on Mac](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/loop-a-slide-show-in-powerpoint/how-to-loop-a-slide-show-in-3-b5a25a.jpg)

## Shortcuts

- Start the slide show: ⌘⇧Return
- End the slide show: Esc
- Switch to Presenter view: ⌥Return
- Show the shortcut list on a Mac: Fn (or Globe) + F1

## If it does not work

- **Loop continuously is not checked after I choose Browsed at a kiosk.** Reopen Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show and make sure Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) is still selected. Look for Loop continuously until 'Esc' and tick it if it is off. Click OK, then start the show again.
- **The slides do not advance on their own.** The loop needs timings. Run Rehearse Timings, or set After with Apply to All on the Transitions tab. Then check each time in View > Slide Sorter.
- **Loop continuously is missing in Presented by a speaker mode.** Microsoft's Mac pages do not document that checkbox for this mode. Community answers say it appears there. If your build does not show it, use Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) instead.
- **The loop option is missing in PowerPoint for the web.** The web app cannot set up or customize a slide show. Open the file in PowerPoint for Mac and set the loop there.
- **Your version does not match Microsoft's release notes.** Microsoft's notes list 16.114.3 and MacUpdate lists 16.114.4. Open PowerPoint > About PowerPoint, install any pending updates, then check these steps against the build you see.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where is the Set Up Slide Show button?”: Lazur points at the Slide Show tab, then at Set Up Slide Show, one step at a time. It waits for you to click before it moves on. It does not click for you. (Walks you through it)

## FAQ

### Does PowerPoint for Mac loop automatically?

Not in every mode. Microsoft says that on macOS, choosing Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) checks Loop continuously until 'Esc' and runs the show in a loop. For a loop that moves on its own, you still need slide timings.

### Can I loop a slide show in PowerPoint for the web?

Not as a setup option. Microsoft's limits page says options for setting up and customizing the slide show are not available in PowerPoint for the web. Open the file in the desktop app for Mac and set the loop there.

### Do I need timings for a looping slide show?

Yes, if the loop should move from slide to slide without a click. Microsoft's self-running page says a timed loop needs timings from Rehearse Timings, or a fixed delay set with Transitions > After and Apply to All.

### How do I stop a looping slide show on Mac?

Press Esc. Microsoft's keyboard shortcut page lists Esc as the way to end the slide show on Mac, and its self-running page names Esc as the key that stops a kiosk loop.

### Does the loop checkbox appear in Presented by a speaker mode?

Community answers say it does, but Microsoft's Mac pages do not confirm it. Test the setting on the same Mac and PowerPoint build you plan to use before an event.

### Which PowerPoint versions do these steps cover?

Microsoft's slide show pages name PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2024, and PowerPoint 2021 for Mac. They do not name PowerPoint 2019 or 2016 for Mac. Check your version under PowerPoint > About PowerPoint.

### What keyboard shortcut starts the slide show on Mac?

Press ⌘⇧Return. Microsoft's Mac list gives the same shortcut for switching to the slide show. Presenter view uses ⌥Return, and Fn (or Globe) + F1 shows the full shortcut list.

## Sources

1. [Create a self-running presentation](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/training/create-a-self-running-presentation), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-08
2. [Present your slide show](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/present-your-slide-show-894dc1d0-44ec-4026-8b90-ea6a9787e291), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-08
3. [Use keyboard shortcuts to create PowerPoint presentations](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/use-keyboard-shortcuts-to-create-powerpoint-presentations), Microsoft Accessibility, checked 2026-11-08
4. [How certain features behave in web-based PowerPoint](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/how-certain-features-behave-in-web-based-powerpoint), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-08
5. [Release notes for Office for Mac](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-office-for-mac), Microsoft Learn, checked 2026-11-08
6. [Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac - MacUpdate](https://microsoft-powerpoint.macupdate.com/), MacUpdate, checked 2026-11-08
7. [Loop slideshow in Power Point Online not possible - Microsoft Q&A](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5255119/loop-slideshow-in-power-point-online-not-possible), Microsoft Q&A, checked 2026-11-08
8. [Powerpoint will not loop on MacBook Air - Microsoft Q&A](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4978456/powerpoint-will-not-loop-on-macbook-air), Microsoft Q&A, checked 2026-11-08
9. [3.10.1 How to Set PowerPoint to Loop Continuously (Mac)](https://firelightit.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/36000526613-3-10-1-how-to-set-powerpoint-to-loop-continuously-mac-), FireLight IT Solutions, checked 2026-11-08